In ''Old World Blues'', the [[Courier]] is abducted and experimented upon by the [[Think Tank (faction)|Think Tank]], a group of pre-[[Great War|War]] scientists that have replaced their aging bodies with [[Think tank|machines]]. Learning that the Think Tank has removed and subsequently lost the [[Courier]]'s brain, theyaid the Think Tank scientists in fighting Dr. [[Mobius]], the rogue scientist currently in possession of their missing organ. Exploring the [[Big MT]] facility, the Courier re-discovers lost technology while also fighting off [[lobotomite]]s, [[robo-scorpion]]s, and more.

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In ''Old World Blues'', the [[Courier]] is abducted and experimented upon by the [[Think Tank (faction)|Think Tank]], a group of pre-[[Great War|War]] scientists that have replaced their aging bodies with [[Think tank|machines]]. Learning that the Think Tank has removed and subsequently lost the [[Courier]]'s brain, the[[Courier]] aids the Think Tank scientists in fighting Dr. [[Mobius]], the rogue scientist currently in possession of their missing organ. Exploring the [[Big MT]] facility, the Courier re-discovers lost technology while also fighting off [[lobotomite]]s, [[robo-scorpion]]s, and more.

Finally meeting Dr. Mobius, the Courier learns that he is not actually evil, but has messed with the Think Tank's memories and constantly threatens them to keep them from experimenting on the entire wasteland. He also stole the [[Courier's brain]] so the Think Tank can not use it to acquire new bodies and escape. After choosing what to do with Mobius and reacquiring their brain, the Courier returns to the Think Tank and either convinces them to stop or kills them.

Finally meeting Dr. Mobius, the Courier learns that he is not actually evil, but has messed with the Think Tank's memories and constantly threatens them to keep them from experimenting on the entire wasteland. He also stole the [[Courier's brain]] so the Think Tank can not use it to acquire new bodies and escape. After choosing what to do with Mobius and reacquiring their brain, the Courier returns to the Think Tank and either convinces them to stop or kills them.

Release data

Xbox 360

PC

Playstation 3

Availability

Xbox 360

PC

Playstation 3

“There is an expression in the Wasteland: "Old World Blues". It refers to those so obsessed with the past they can't see the present, much less the future, for what it is.”— Doctor Mobius and Doctor Klein, Old World Blues

Contents

Plot

In Old World Blues, the Courier is abducted and experimented upon by the Think Tank, a group of pre-War scientists that have replaced their aging bodies with machines. Learning that the Think Tank has removed and subsequently lost the Courier's brain, the Courier aids the Think Tank scientists in fighting Dr. Mobius, the rogue scientist currently in possession of their missing organ. Exploring the Big MT facility, the Courier re-discovers lost technology while also fighting off lobotomites, robo-scorpions, and more.

Finally meeting Dr. Mobius, the Courier learns that he is not actually evil, but has messed with the Think Tank's memories and constantly threatens them to keep them from experimenting on the entire wasteland. He also stole the Courier's brain so the Think Tank can not use it to acquire new bodies and escape. After choosing what to do with Mobius and reacquiring their brain, the Courier returns to the Think Tank and either convinces them to stop or kills them.

Quests

The experience points that are rewarded for quests are based on the players level upon quest completion. The total experience points available for the main storyline quests is anywhere between 3,000 (for levels 1-4) to 22,000 (for levels 45-50). The side quest experience points ranges from 75 to 500 per quest.

You gain a non-addictive subdermal turbo (chem) injector. This perk may be taken twice, with the second rank increasing the effect from 2 to 3 seconds and the uses per day from 5 to 10 (activated in the Pip-Boy inventory).

Notes

The Big MT seems to be the locations where Father Elijah found and gathered most of his equipment prior to Dead Money, such as the bomb collars and the holorifle along with Christine Royce, although Elijah claims he invented the holorifle.

Big MT or "Big Mountain" is based upon the real-life location "Black Mesa" in Arizona.

Like all New Vegas add-ons, Old World Blues raises the level cap by 5.[1] The add-on also offers new traits (and gives you the opportunity to change your own traits if you've already chosen them) including one called Logan's Loophole that will allow you to cap your level at 30 and give you additional bonuses regarding chems.

Old World Blues can be difficult for low level players. Before going in, the game advises that Old World Blues is intended for Couriers of Level 15+. Some enemies in the Big Empty can offer a challenge even for a Courier at level 30+.

Old World Blues enemies pose a much larger threat for Couriers at Level 40+, as many enemies level with the player.

Equipment will not be stripped from the player at the beginning of this add-on, and it features an open-world setting. There is no limit to the amount of equipment you can take in to the add-on, as well.[2]

Like all New Vegas add-ons, companions cannot accompany the Courier to the new land. However, there is one temporary companion in the add-on, a cyberdog named Roxie who has her own ending if you create her.

There is an upgradeable player housing (via completing quests) called The Sink, in the add-on.[3] Complete with some robotic appliances which have individual personalities, all with different voices.

In addition to providing free basic healing services (restore HP, repair limb damage, and remove radiation and drug dependency), the auto-doc in The Sink allows the player to alter their looks, hairstyle, and, for one time only, their traits.

Christine Royce and Father Elijah from Dead Money are also involved in Old World Blues, although they do not appear in the add-on. There are Holotapes of her speaking, along with her weapon and armor. Father Elijah's weapons can also be found, along with notes made by him while in the Big MT.

If you play Christine's holotapes in front of her at Dead Money, she will not take any notice. This is due to the add-ons being independent from each other.

Unlike Dead Money or Honest Hearts, all Achievements or Trophies can be earned in one playthrough without replaying.

When in Hardcore mode, the sleep meter stays at zero, unless the Courier sleeps. There may be a delay before the sleep meter starts.

Behind the scenes

The Big Empty was a location that was scrapped from Black Isle's canceled Fallout 3 (Van Buren).

At some point, Chris Avellone set his location on his Twitter profile to Big MT, Mojave, placing the Big Empty as a location within the Mojave Wasteland and thus teasing its possible appearance in a future Fallout: New Vegas add-on. Since then, Avellone has also changed his Twitter avatar.

This add-on is an obvious homage to the science fiction B-movies of the 1950s. There are many references to these types of movies throughout the add-on.

Old World Blues was nominated for Best DLC Award at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards. It was the only one of the Fallout: New Vegas add-ons to be nominated.

The add-on's main quest shares many similarities with the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz in that the Courier searches for their brain (Scarecrow), their heart (The Tin Man), and their spine (courage for the Lion) after initially being unconscious after entering Big Mountain (as Dorothy was knocked unconscious in order to enter Oz). Additionally, Dr. Mobius is initially portrayed to be malevolent or sinister, much like the Wizard of Oz himself, only to have it revealed that he is quite misunderstood, and the Big Mountain Transportalponder! acts as the Ruby Slippers, taking the Courier back home.